Luthmann said that signatures that had been invalidated because of incorrect addresses belonged to registered Democrats, some of whom were displaced by Hurricane Sandy.

"I pursued these legal actions because I felt that my campaign was not given a fair chance to let the voters decide," he said.

Luthmann could have taken his fight to the federal courts, but declined to do so.

The Court of Appeals ruling was issued after arguments were heard in the court on Wednesday morning.

Democratic Party law chairman Manuel Ortega, representing the Islander who challenged Luthmann's signatures, Ibrahim Fall, said, "We are very pleased and satisfied that our highest court in the state has decided that Luthmann failed to properly obtain the necessary number of valid signatures."

Luthmann was looking to get into a Democratic primary on Sept. 10 against party pick Louis Liedy.

Luthmann said he would continue to remain active in politics.

"My campaign served to broaden the party base and raise questions about entrenched party bosses on both sides of the aisle," Luthmann said.